My in-laws are driving in from Mississippi tomorrow night to spend a few days with us before they make their way to Kentucky for Thanksgiving, so we’ve spent the day scrubbing and scouring, dusting, mopping, mowing and laundering.
Giving the house something between a holiday cleaning and an exorcism.
It’s not that we’re slobs, but when you’re having houseguests, you want everything high and tight, right? You want them to feel comfortable and not wonder if maybe they should check for bedbugs. So, tomorrow I’ll pick up a Sunday paper and stock the fridge, and we’ll be finished.
But tonight is all about watching “Home for the Holidays” with an adult beverage.
Right now, I’m working on a hot mug of apple cider spiked with Southern Comfort and garnished with a cinnamon stick and lemon peel. A SoCo Barn Burner. The combination works, because the flavors in Southern Comfort – especially the peach, orange and cinnamon – dance with the apple in the cider, giving you a drink that’s sweet and fruity, with an undercurrent of trouble.
Just like Thanksgiving.
Southern Comfort Barn Burner
- 8 ounces apple cider
- 1.5 ounces Southern Comfort
- Cinnamon stick
- Lemon peel
- Gently heat cider on the stovetop or in the microwave.
- While the cider is warming, pour the Southern Comfort into a mug. Add cinnamon stick and lemon peel.
- Fill the rest of the mug with hot cider. Commence sippin’.
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Yum! And Kentucky? That's where I'm going too! All my family and my boyfriend's family live there. We're both from the South Central area of KY.
Really? They're heading to Grand Rivers. But my dad is from Guthrie. Where are you guys from? Are you my cousin? ;)
Oh how I need this drink right now! I've been sick for a few days and so congested I can't taste a thing. I bet this would do the trick!
And ditto Erin- KY is where I'm from and where I'm headed for the holidays as well. I grew up in Cadiz, which isn't too far from Guthrie. I actually have a few relatives in Guthrie and used to drive through there on my travels back and forth from college in Bowling Green. I often made pit stops in Guthrie to pick up orders of baked goods from a Mennonite family….sometimes my car would be filled almost to the ceiling with yummy smelling things to take to my family in Cadiz. If I remember correctly, the Mennonite family's name was Hostetler….
Ugh, I feel your pain. We've gone through almost two boxes of generic Sudafed. It's got to be this crazy weather.
My parents make runs to the Mennonite bakery. Strawberry-rhubarb pie, yessssss. And the best sourdough bread.
I have friends in Cadiz, but I still haven't made it to the Trigg County Country Ham Festival. We've got to see the World's Largest Country Ham and Biscuit.
All road lead to Guthrie. how weird such a small town exists that no one should know and everyone (well, who's anyone) knows about it.
Bec this sounds wonderful. But don't have 2 of them, I don't want to have to drive to Nashville and scrape you off the ceiling.
If it would get you to drive the whopping 45 minutes to Nashville, it'd be totally worth it. That baby's no bigger than a ham. Just stick her in the glove compartment and come on.
Not many people know where Cadiz is, and you even know about the Ham Festival! Too funny! I actually haven't attended in years, but told myself a while back that next year will be the year I'm going to do it. Perhaps we should make it a Nashville food blogger/bitesters road trip and get Erin, Lindsay, Ryan, Chris C, and others to join in the fun!
Trigg County was just recently voted WET for the first time in 103 years, so it could be one hell of a party!
Trigg County is wet now? Sounds like 2010 is the year to go. Let's do it!
I used to work for a monthly newspaper called "The Trace" that covered arts and entertainment all the way around the lakes, so Cadiz was one of our cities.
Trigg County is wet now? Sounds like 2010 is the year to go. Let's do it!
I used to work for a monthly newspaper called "The Trace" that covered arts and entertainment all the way around the lakes, so Cadiz was one of our cities.
We’re headed to Paris as of this afternoon – I’m about to jump out of my skin. Can’t wait! I’ve caught cattle in Cadiz before. It was one mess of a day.
This looks like something I’m going to have to make for a night or two while at my aunt’s. Something we’re all bound to enjoy!
Paris! Haven't been there in forever. Hope you have a great time!
This is a great drink to unwind with. I'm going to have to hook my family up, too!
Okay, mark your calendar now for the 2nd weekend in October 2010! We'll take Cadiz by storm and eat country ham till we're sick. (maybe we should all enter the baking contest too!)
You're on! We'll bring the Maker's for a pre-game apéritif.
There's a baking contest? I'll have to bookmark the website and get my game on.
Well within the next few weeks I will know for sure, but if all goes according to plans…I will be living in Canada and going to culinary school next October! But if anything is a reason to come back for a visit, I suppose a country ham and biscuit festival in KY is!
Oh, that's exciting! An adventure.
If you can't make it to the festival, I'm sure we can vacuum seal some country ham for you. But the biscuit you'll have to come back for.
Gorgeous photo!
Thanks! There's no telling how many times I twisted that lemon peel. ;)
COUNTRY HAM AND BISCUIT FESTIVAL?! I'm there! For real.
I'm from Upton, KY; but will also be visiting my grandma in Campbellsville. The BF's family is in Burkesville.
I have been to Guthrie before! My best friend's extended family lives in Elkton. :)
Yessss! I'm marking the calendar now.
We have a ton of family friends in Guthrie and Elkton. There's some stand around there that makes The Best Jalapeño Poppers Ever. You can't bite into one without getting doused in cheese. Totally worth it.
You had me at Southern Comfort. I love the scents of the cinnamon in there, and the lemon peel. I am thinking of subbing in a tangerine peel instead. Ahh.. The finer points of life.
I'm in for the Cadiz trip! Who's gonna be the DD?
Oh, that cleaning sounds so familiar. My family lands tomorrow night, and my husband and I have been doing the same thing all weekend. Complete overhaul. Wish I could join you on the drink, though. Nine months pregnant, it's just not happening. Sigh. Marking this for safe-keeping for next year. I'm sure it makes the night before the arrival MUCH more enjoyable. :)
This drink makes me wish, once again, that I liked whiskey. Or (and?) bourbon. What's the difference again?
We're hosting the Thanksgiving meal this year with family driving in tomorrow. Can't wait!
Hey, thanks for the reminder: we've got to *clean* between now and then. :-)
that looks like it would hit the spot. the only thing better would be apple pie liquor which I found in the party store a couple days ago. it was great with a scoop of haagen daz in it.
allison
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This is the perfect idea to help loosen up the family! My husband is from the US and I am a pure breed Canadian, eh! so Thanksgiving this year came around twice. Wish I found this before the events, I may have been less… nervous :) Met parts of the family I never thought I could, and my first vaca to the US!!!
I think this will have to be added to the Christmas events :) Thanks Rebecca
This stuff is amazing. Wow! I did a whole batch of it for a party and added meyer lemon slices in addition to the lemon peel. I also added star anise and let it simmer for about two hours. Made the house smell incredible and the drink was really really really good. This is a keeper!!!